sensor1

Opinions on hand-held or monopod or tripod support for Z6 camera for a a few days photography visit at Yellowstone and Grand Tetons will be appreciated.

sabfish

You can usually manage fine, handheld or with a monopod. Of course, if you into sunrise or sunset, etc., you may need a tripod.

alx Loc: NJ

What kind of photographer are you?

I don't mean that sarcastically. I'm sure you've been looking at photographs of the areas you hope to shoot and have some sense of what you would like to experience and capture.

Look back through some of the shots that are drawing you to the area and reasonably asses your skills, talent and ability to capture the photographs you are envisioning. Are you just looking for snaps to remember the trip? Or are you looking for meticulously crafted compositions of perfection?

When you can pull that together in your mind, you will then be able to judge YOUR ability to accomplish your goal and what equipment, given your talent and capability, you will need to accomplish it. Maybe you are rock steady hand held like Regis here, or are more mortal like many of us who need a little assistance to steady the shot. How instinctive are your spontaneous compositions? Or do you do better with a slow, studied approach to nudge the frame into perfection?

When you answer these questions, and the myriad more that come to mind as you picture yourself in the settings, you will KNOW what equipment you will need.

Just be honest in your appraisal and the answer will come to you. And it will be YOUR answer that will suit YOU, not someone else's guestimate based on their capabilities not knowing your individual strengths and weaknesses.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Are you car camping or hiking? What time are you planning to shoot? Daytime nighttime? What are you goals?

In general if you are waking and sightseeing hand held is better, boardwalks, other popular scenic places, tripods are not a good idea, some places they are prohibited. If your camping planning some Astro-Photography, a tripod is a must. If you want to set up and stalk a sunrise or sunset, a tripod can help. If you are taking video a tripod can help.

Perhaps this link will be of some use:
https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/photography.htm

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Was just to both at end of August everything was hand-held without a problem except twice I wished I had my tripod. One day rained on & off and very dark, cloudy. Other was mother bear & her two cubs at far reach of my superzoom. In late Aug-Sept weather went from sunny to rain to snow all in one day.

bleirer

There are a lot of vistas just at the car overlooks, so a tripod there. It follows the National park rule though that you lose about 1/4 of the crowd for every 1/4 mile you hike, so there I would turn my walking stick into a monopod with a quick release head. Many brands do this. You'll want the hiking stick, for example hiking to inspiration point and the cascade canyon trail, especially descending. I've not seen any area prohibiting tripods, and I've been there at least a dozen times.

Ob1 Loc: Utah

I have found that the area is so vast that I do a lot of focus stacking. A tripod is a must for this and early and evening sessions. You are outside so the light is “always” good. I am surprised how often I use my tripod or monopod while shooting. I guess I need a crutch. The telephoto lenses seem to exaggerate movements. Just my thoughts. I just got back from GTNP and Yellowstone a week ago. Going back next week. I am lucky I don’t have to fly. Have fun and drive slow and enjoy the scenery. Check my Instagram obradallen for images.

sensor1

Handsome portraits, gorgeous photos. You've inspired me. Tripod, Z6 and I will try to follow suit once I arrive in Wyoming.

sensor1

sensor1

Many thanks for your comments. My hesitation, now overcome, was about this mid-80's body carrying camera, tripod and other gear. Nevertheless, tripod it will be.

Sensor1

sensor1

Many thanks for your comments. My uncertainty about support gear reflected weight factors and my mid-80's aches and pains. Nevertheless, tripod for the Grand Tetons it will be.

Sensor1

IHH61 Loc: Homestead Fl

Take the tripod! Or at least a Platypod. Lots of opportunity to focus stack and bracket.

IHH61 Loc: Homestead Fl

Dossile

A tripod is essential for a spliced panorama or focus stacking, both great tools for spectacular images. Also, sunsets and sunrises can be amazing. Macro opportunities abound. A telephoto (ie 200-500) is great from the car window in Yellowstone. A lot of animals hang by the road, especially early mornings. Hiking is great in both parks, which is perfect for a mirrorless. A monopod/walking stick could help, but is something that I never worried about.

bleirer

Check out the Lawrence Rockefeller preserve. Less visited, but nice shots. Also the road it is on, Moose-wilson, has moose in the water once in a while. Plus it is the best shortcut to Jackson, and you'll find the bar j chuckwagon on that road, but make a reservation, and even then the line is hundreds long, moves quick though.


https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/lsr.htm

http://www.barjchuckwagon.com/

miklj

Or a nice sized bean bag. Learn where to prop yourself and your camera. I haven't used my very expensive tripod in over three years and in that time I've not lamented missing a single shot.